In a troubling incident off the coast of East Yorkshire, an oil tanker collided with a cargo ship early this morning, resulting in jet fuel spilling into the North Sea. The US-flagged tanker Stena Immaculate was anchored when it was struck by the Portuguese-registered container ship Solong, leading to a series of explosions.
Emergency response teams acted swiftly, with lifeboats and a Coastguard helicopter deployed to the scene near Hull. Over 30 individuals were rescued and brought ashore, but there are growing concerns about the potential environmental impact of the fuel leak, particularly on local wildlife, including several endangered bird species and a rare colony of seals.
Are the Crew Members Safe?
According to Ernst Russ, the Hamburg-based owner of the Solong, one of its 14 crew members remains missing following the accident. The company stated, “Thirteen of the 14 crew members have been accounted for and brought safely to shore. Efforts are ongoing to locate the missing individual.” Meanwhile, Crowley, the managing company for the Immaculate, confirmed that all 20 crew members aboard their vessel were unharmed.
Paramedics from East Midlands Ambulance Service assessed a total of 36 people at North Quay in Grimsby, following the incident. Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick black smoke rising from the vessels, accompanied by visible flames on at least one of the ships. The emergency response included multiple rescue boats, which began arriving at the Humber estuary shortly before 10 a.m.
Martyn Boyers, Chief Executive of the Port of Grimsby East, reported that casualties were initially transported via a Windcat 33 vessel, followed by additional rescues using a harbor pilot boat and another craft.
What Caused the Crash?
Ship tracking data reveals that the 183-meter Immaculate was virtually stationary at the time of the collision, while the Solong was moving at an average speed. According to Marine Traffic, the oil tanker, which had recently departed from the Greek port of Agioi Theodori, was drifting at a mere 0.1 nautical miles per hour at 9:48 a.m. Meanwhile, the 140-meter Solong, on its way from Grangemouth in Scotland to Rotterdam, was traveling at 16 knots just minutes prior to the crash.
Moments before impact, the Solong‘s speed decreased to 3 knots, suggesting a critical moment of collision. The Immaculate, after being struck, moved briefly at 2.5 knots before coming to a complete stop. While the exact cause of the crash remains uncertain, there are indications that autopilot malfunction may have contributed to the incident.
Mr. Boyers speculated, “One vessel was at anchor while the other was on course. Autopilot could have played a significant role here. If it was engaged without anyone on the bridge, it would maintain its course unerringly.” Dr. Abdul Khalique, head of the Maritime Centre at Liverpool John Moores University, pointed out that had the watchkeepers on the Solong been properly monitoring the radar, they likely would have detected the impending collision.
- “It is assumed that the watchkeepers on MV Solong failed to maintain a proper lookout, a requirement under international maritime regulations,”
- he added. Preliminary reports indicate that poor visibility may have also played a role in the crash.
Both vessels appeared to remain in contact for approximately four minutes during the incident, further complicating the situation. Professor David Slater from Cardiff University emphasized the importance of understanding the tanker’s positioning relative to designated shipping lanes to determine accountability.
Independent maritime safety consultant David McFarlane noted that data recorders from both ships would provide crucial insights, but it could take weeks or even months to reach a definitive conclusion regarding the causes of this incident.
What is the Environmental Risk?
Crowley confirmed that a cargo tank on the Immaculate ruptured during the collision, releasing A-1 jet fuel into the North Sea. While the exact volume of the spill remains unknown, experts warn that oil spills can severely harm marine ecosystems, jeopardizing aquatic life and impacting coastal communities. Although jet fuel is generally considered less toxic than crude oil, the environmental implications could still be significant.
Additionally, the Solong was reported to be carrying 15 containers of sodium cyanide, raising concerns about whether this hazardous substance has entered the water. Sodium cyanide is highly toxic, posing serious risks to wildlife if ingested.
Martin Slater, Director of Operations at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, expressed grave concerns about the potential devastation to the Humber estuary, which is home to significant populations of protected birds such as puffins, razorbills, gannets, and kittiwakes. “The area is crucial for Atlantic grey seals, many of which are nurturing their young,” he noted.
The Humber estuary is recognized as a protected marine conservation zone, supporting various species, including fish that are vital for local fisheries. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has highlighted the proximity of the crash site to England’s largest gannet colony, warning that any fuel leak could be lethal to seabirds.
Greenpeace UK stated that while it is too early to assess the full extent of environmental damage, the impact will depend on several variables, including the amount of pollutants released and prevailing weather conditions.
